Nomination form International Memory of the World Register Jame’ al-Tavarikh ID Code [2016-68] 1.0 Summary (max 200 words) Give a brief description of the documentary heritage being nominated and the reasons for proposing it. This is the “shop window” of your nomination and is best written last! It should contain all the essential points you want to make, so that anyone reading it can understand your case even if they do not read the rest of your nomination. Jami al-Tavarikh written by Rašid-al-Din Fażl-Allāh Ṭabib Hamadāni (1247-1318) is one of the most important general books on history. This book is like a big historical encyclopaedia that no other similar book exists in the Medieval Ages throughout the world. It is the first plan for writing world history from that time. Jami al-Tavarikh includes history of prophets (from Adam to the prophet of Islam), history of Islam up to Abbasids, history of the ancient Iran up to the time of the author as well as the history of several countries like China, India, (Indus and Kashmir), European lands, Christian Popes and Israelites which have been written down based on the sources available to the author. Rashid al-Din was the founder of new Persian historiography in the Middle Ages. His method of historiography can be compared with the historiography of the European Renaissance historians. The most important section of the book is in terms of historiography related to the history of Mongols and Ilkhanids’ governance over Iran. It is supported by first-hand sources like book “The Secret History of the Mongols”, the author’s direct observations and information provided by the Mongol princes. The Mongolian tribes ruled over a vast range of lands from China to Europe. Additionally, this book is of paramount importance for sociopolitical studies. Two precious manuscripts of this book have been presented in this nomination file. The first manuscript was written in 1004 H. /1595 in 305 folios. The second manuscript was written in 1074 H. /1665. Both manuscripts are kept in the Royal Library of Iran and enjoy unrivaled artistic features. 2.0 Nominator 1 2.1 Name of nominator (person or organization) Iranian National Committee for the Memory of the World and the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO. 2.2 Relationship to the nominated documentary heritage Jāmi Al-Tavarikh was proposed for nomination to the Iranian National Committee for the Memory of the World in 2014. Subsequent to an extensive comparison between the existing manuscripts, a complete and authentic copy was found by the relevant expert group in Golestan Palace Library (The Royal Library). The book was then selected for inscription and after confirmation by the Iranian National Committee for the Memory of the World and the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, it was thereby nominated for inscription at the International Memory of the World Register. 2.3 Contact person(s) (to provide information on nomination) Akbar Irani 2.4 Contact details Name Address Akbar Irani 1182, Enqelab Avenue, Farvardin Building, Fl #2, Tehran, postal code: 1315693519, IRAN Telephone Facsimile Email +98 21 66490612 +98 21 66406258 [email protected] [email protected] 3.0 Identity and description of the documentary heritage 3.1 Name and identification details of the items being nominated If inscribed, the exact title and institution(s) to appear on the certificate should be given In this part of the form you must describe the document or collection in sufficient detail to make clear precisely what you are nominating. Any collection must be finite (with beginning and end dates) and closed. Title of the book is Jami al-Tavarikh in Persian language and written by Rašid-al-Din Fażl-Allāh Ṭabib Hamadāni. He was born in Hamadan at 1247. He entered the Royal court at the time of Abaqa Khan. He was asked to write Jami al-Tavarikh. Numerous copies of Jami al-Tavarikh were made which are kept in Iranian and foreign libraries whom will be later on mentioned. The two presented manuscripts are kept in the Royal Library of Iran. 1. The first manuscript was written down in 1004 H. /1595 at the Indian Mongol court in 305 2 twenty-five-line folios. It is in folio (King) size (290 mm x 390 mm), Using Kashmiri paper with excellent half of two “Dāng” Nastaligh scribe. In terms of calligraphy, decoration and painting, this manuscript is very interesting and well-organized and includes 98 water color paintings by the Indian painters and designers in the Indian style. The manuscript also includes two outstanding bejeweled illustrated frontispieces that under each page, name of the painter and designer of the given page has been mentioned. Names of Designers: Basawan, La’l, Meskin, Talsi, Saluneh. Names of Painters: Sudas Gujrati, Abdollah, Kahīm, Kamālī Chīleh, Lūmanak, Danarāh, Māhū, Dahnū, Behzad, Mir Taghi, Sankar, Jaknāt. The foregoing names have been mentioned under each piece and in terms of painting history of Mughal School, this is a very valuable fact. This manuscript is of paramount importance in terms of history of Mughal painting. 2. The Second manuscript was written down in 1074 H. /1665 at the court of the Safavid kings in 612 folios. It is in folio (King) size (490 mm x 320 mm), using Samarkandi Paper and cardboard cover coated with black leather. Its calligrapher is Hossein ibn Sheikh Mir ‘Alam. This one enjoys 310 paintings of the Chines and Roman kings with their names. The manuscript also includes eight outstanding bejeweled illustrated frontispieces. - As earlier mentioned, these two versions have been copied from the authentic versions in Gurkani Akbar Shah’s royal workshop by the prominent and famous calligraphers, painters and illustrators. They enjoy unrivalled artistic values among manuscripts kept in library of Golestan Palace. Professional measures should be made for their safeguarding and protection. Several images of a few number of folios (No. 2254 and 2256) from these manuscripts are enclosed to prove their artistic aspects . 3.4 History/provenance Describe what you know of the history of the collection or document. Your knowledge may not be complete, but give the best description you can. 1. The first manuscript has been completed in 1596. The first page is illustrated with a medallion and it has been stated that the book has been commissioned by the order of Akbar Shah (1542-1605) chieftain in the Royal Workshop. According to the notes and stamps in the initial page near to and around the medallion, this book belonged to Akbar Shah and has been transferred to Iran and it has been finally endowed to Golestan Palace Library. Thus, this manuscript’s history and provenance from the beginning of its existence is clearly indicated in the manuscript itself. 2. The vesro of the first page of the second manuscript shows that it belonged to the library of the Safavid kings and has been paid visits within 1151-1162 H. / 1742-1752. It was transferred to the Roral Library of Ffathali Shah in 1232 H. /1822. It has also revisited in 1282 H. / 1872 and 1322 H. / 1882. It has been reported that name of epithet of Fathali Shah and Nasser al-Din Shah Seal can be seen in its decorative medallion. 4.0 Legal information 4.1 Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details) Name Address Library of Golestan Arg Sq., 15 Khordad St., Tehran, Postal Code: 1114943361/ P.O. Box: 4595-11365 Palace-Museum Telephone Facsimile Email +982133113335-8 +982133111811 [email protected] 3 4.2 Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details if different from the owner) Name Address ------------- Telephone Facsimile Email 4.3 Legal status Provide details of legal and administrative responsibility for the preservation of the documentary heritage The Golestan Palace Library (The Royal Library) is legally and administratively in charge of preserving the nominated work. 4.4 Accessibility Describe how the item(s) / collection may be accessed Accessing the original copy is only possible under certain circumstances. However, the digitized copy of the book is available for all researchers to access their required information. All access restrictions should be explicitly stated below: Encouraging accessibility is a basic objective of MoW. Accordingly, digitization for access purposes is encouraged and you should comment on whether this has been done or is planned. You should also note if there are legal or cultural factors that restrict access. 4.5 Copyright status Describe the copyright status of the item(s) / collection Where copyright status is known, it should be stated. However, the copyright status of a document or collection has no bearing on its significance and is not taken into account in determining whether it meets the criteria for inscription. 4 The Copyright owner of the book is Golestan Palace Library (The Royal Library). 5.0 Assessment against the selection criteria 5.1 Authenticity. Is the documentary heritage what it appears to be? Have identity and provenance been reliably established? The exact dates of the Manuscripts have been recorded in the colophon and the manuscript experts of the Library have confirmed their authenticity. Mr. Mohamad Roshan, the scholar and editor of these manuscripts, has confirmed its authenticity and benefitted from these precious manuscripts when he was editing Jami al-Tavarikh. The originality and authenticity of the “Documentary Heritage” in this file is carried out in two sections, that is, the Jami al-Tavarikh itself and the manuscript housed at Goletan Palace Library (The Royal Library) which is the selected specimen and the copy that is proposing. Jami al-Tavarikh When Rashid al-Din moved from Hamadan to Tabirz in Abaqa Khan period, he was 20 years of age, a highly experienced and skillful medical doctor.